Legal Responsibilities of Eco Tourism and Travel Tours

Legal Responsibilities of Eco Tourism and Travel Tours

A portion of accident reports and public news is repeatedly linked to incidents that occur during organized tours. In practice, injuries and unexpected events have become recurring phenomena in travel and tourism. Although reasonable adults generally understand that travel may involve risks and choose to participate with awareness of those risks, this does not absolve travel agencies and tour operators of their legal responsibility to organize and manage such trips.

If an incident occurs, the tour operator may be held responsible.

For example, according to published reports, there was a recent incident involving the disappearance and death of a young woman in a forested area in Golestan Province.

This was not the first such event, and it will likely not be the last. A key question arising from these incidents is what legal measures and protections are available when accidents occur during tourism and nature tours.

Civil Liability of Tour Organizers

Using Eco Tourism and Travel Tour Services in Compliance With the Law

Before paying any fees for a tourism or nature tour, it is necessary to verify two essential matters.

First, you should confirm whether the company is a legally registered travel services office and whether it holds the required licenses.

When a travel services office is properly registered, it operates as a legal entity and conducts lawful business activities. As a result, it has defined rights, duties, and legal obligations.

Second, in line with the first point and as a direct consequence of lawful registration and licensing, the tour organizer assumes specific duties toward clients and travelers. One of the principal duties is to arrange insurance coverage for travelers participating in trips organized under the supervision of these offices. Therefore, after confirming the agency’s license and legal status, reviewing its insurance coverage should be the next necessary step.

When a travel services office and its tours operate lawfully, the organizer is accountable to the public and bears responsibility to travelers. The organizer must respect travelers’ rights and shall not withhold reasonable assistance in exercising those rights. These rights include clear and complete information regarding the route and destination, accommodation arrangements, the mode of transportation, the services provided during the trip, foreseeable risks, and confirmation that travelers are insured against such risks. Full transparency is required to enable travelers to make an informed decision. Accordingly, if a tour proceeds without providing these explanations and disclosures, any resulting harm may give rise to legal claims and be pursued in court.

In general, nature and travel tours must provide the necessary facilities and arrangements at the destination and along the route. One reason individuals choose organized tours over independent travel is access to professional guidance and additional support. Travel services offices are also required to provide, for each trip, a trained guide who is familiar with the environment and capable of managing the group. In the event of unforeseen incidents, the guide should be able to manage crises. Basic knowledge of essential first aid, as well as the ability to carry first-aid supplies and emergency equipment, are also among the expected qualifications. Another important duty is the tour leader’s continuous and effective warning of risks associated with the route and destination.

What Legal Duties Do Tour Operators Have?

• Travel agency owners and tour organizers are required to ensure that travelers are informed of the geographic scope and duration of the trip and to provide appropriate conditions and a safe environment, to the extent required by law and professional standards.
• Travel insurance should be comprehensive and cover potential financial and bodily risks, as a key reason for choosing organized travel and paying service fees is the expectation of a safe, well-managed trip.
• The civil liabilities arising from the trip should be covered under the relevant insurance policy, and in the event of loss or damage, compensation may be sought through the insurance coverage and the tour operator’s obligations.
• If a licensed agency sends travelers on a trip without insurance coverage, this may constitute a professional violation and may be subject to legal action. If the agency operates without the required license and does so unlawfully, it may face more severe legal consequences.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Legal Responsibilities of Eco Tourism and Travel Tours